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One Of These Things First

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

One of These Things First (Bryter Layter)
Standard Tuning (EADGBe)
Chords Used:
      E- 022100
 F#m7/E- 04222x   or  044220
  G#m/E- 06644x   or  066440
    E/D- xx0454   or  xx0450
      A- x02220
      G- 320003
    F#m- 244222
Notes:
In the recording off of Bryter Layter it sounds like Nick is using an open tuning of some sort.
I prefer to stay in standard tuning when I play so here's how I have written out the chords. 
Note that the E/D chord is a quick passing chord and may be omitted if difficult to play at the recorded 
speed. Chords my not be exactly in line with lyrics since Mr. Drake tends to play and sing in more complex 
rhythms. 
I added a couple alternative chord fingerings on three of the chords that work musically and might be 
easier to move around.
[Intro]
   E     F#m7/E     G#m/E   E/D    F#m7/E(x4)
[Verse 1]
E
F#m7/EI could have been a G#m/Esailor
F#m7/ECould have been a EcookF#m7/E  G#m/E  F#m7/E  
E
F#m7/EA real live lover G#m/E  
F#m7/ECould have been a EbookF#m7/E  G#m/E  F#m7/E  
AI could have been a signpost 
GCould have been a clock
EAs sF#m7/Eimple as G#m/Ea kettle F#m7/E  
ESteaF#m7/Edy as a rG#m/EockF#m7/E  
GI could beF#m  
EHere F#m7/Eand nowG#m/E  F#m7/E  
GI would be, F#mI should be
EBut F#m7/Ehow?G#m/E  
[Chorus]
AI could have beenF#m  
EOne F#m7/Eof these G#m/Ethings first
AI could have beenF#m  
EOne F#m7/Eof these G#m/Ethings fE/DirstF#m7/E  
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E
[Verse 2]
E
F#m7/EI could have been yoG#m/Eur pillar 
F#m7/ECould have been your EdoorF#m7/E  G#m/E  F#m7/E  
E
F#m7/EI could have stayed G#m/Ebeside you 
F#m7/ECould have stayed for EmoreF#m7/E  G#m/E  F#m7/E  
AI could have been your statue
GCould have been your friend
EA whF#m7/Eole long G#m/Elifetime F#m7/E  
ECoulF#m7/Ed have beG#m/Een the eF#m7/End
GI could be F#m  
Yours so EtrueF#m7/E  G#m/E  F#m7/E  
GI would be 
F#mI should be 
EThroF#m7/Eugh and tG#m/Ehrough
[Chorus]
AI could have beenF#m  
One of these things EfirsF#m7/EtG#m/E  F#m7/E  
AI could have beenF#m  
One of these things EfirsF#m7/EtG#m/E  E/D  F#m7/E  
[Instrumental]
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E
G
F#m
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   F#m7/E
G
F#m
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E
A
F#m
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E
[Verse 3]
E
F#m7/EI could have been a G#m/Ewhistle 
F#m7/ECould have been a fluEteF#m7/E  G#m/E  F#m7/E  
E
F#m7/EA real live giver G#m/E  
F#m7/ECould have been a booEtF#m7/E  G#m/E  F#m7/E  
AI could have been a signpost
GCould have been a clock
EAs sF#m7/Eimple as G#m/Ea kettle F#m7/E  
ESteaF#m7/Edy as a rG#m/EockF#m7/E  
[Chorus 2]
GI could be F#m  
EEven F#m7/EhereG#m/E  F#m7/E  
GI would be, F#mI should be 
ESo nF#m7/EearG#m/E  
AI could have beenF#m  
EOne F#m7/Eof these G#m/Ethings first
AI could have beenF#m  
EOne F#m7/Eof these G#m/Ethings first
[Outro]
A
F#m
E   F#m7/E   G#m/E   E/D F#m7/E
E

All chords in this song (7)

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One Of These Things First

by Nick Drake

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m7/E

G#m/E

E/D

F#m

One of These Things First (Bryter Layter)

Standard Tuning (EADGBe)

Chords Used:

- 022100

F#m7/E

- 04222x or 044220

G#m/E

- 06644x or 066440

E/D

- xx0454 or xx0450

- x02220

- 320003

F#m

- 244222

Notes:

In the recording off of Bryter Layter it sounds like Nick is using an open tuning of some sort.

I prefer to stay in standard tuning when I play so here's how I have written out the chords.

Note that the E/D chord is a quick passing chord and may be omitted if difficult to play at the recorded

speed. Chords my not be exactly in line with lyrics since Mr. Drake tends to play and sing in more complex

rhythms.

I added a couple alternative chord fingerings on three of the chords that work musically and might be

easier to move around.

[Intro]

E F#m7/E G#m/E E/D F#m7/E

(x4)

[Verse 1]

F#m7/E G#m/E

I could have been a sailor

F#m7/E E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Could have been a cook

F#m7/E G#m/E

A real live lover

F#m7/E E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Could have been a book

I could have been a signpost

Could have been a clock

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

As simple as a kettle

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Steady as a rock

G F#m

I could be

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Here and now

G F#m

I would be, I should be

E F#m7/E G#m/E

But how?

[Chorus]

A F#m

I could have been

E F#m7/E G#m/E

One of these things first

A F#m

I could have been

E F#m7/E G#m/E E/D F#m7/E

One of these things first

E F#m7/E G#m/E E/D F#m7/E

[Verse 2]

F#m7/E G#m/E

I could have been your pillar

F#m7/E E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Could have been your door

F#m7/E G#m/E

I could have stayed beside you

F#m7/E E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Could have stayed for more

I could have been your statue

Could have been your friend

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

A whole long lifetime

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Could have been the end

G F#m

I could be

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Yours so true

I would be

F#m

I should be

E F#m7/E G#m/E

Through and through

[Chorus]

A F#m

I could have been

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

One of these things first

A F#m

I could have been

E F#m7/E G#m/E E/D F#m7/E

One of these things first

[Instrumental]

E F#m7/E G#m/E E/D F#m7/E

F#m

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

F#m

E F#m7/E G#m/E

F#m

E F#m7/E G#m/E E/D F#m7/E

[Verse 3]

F#m7/E G#m/E

I could have been a whistle

F#m7/E E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Could have been a flute

F#m7/E G#m/E

A real live giver

F#m7/E E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Could have been a boot

I could have been a signpost

Could have been a clock

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

As simple as a kettle

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Steady as a rock

[Chorus 2]

G F#m

I could be

E F#m7/E G#m/E F#m7/E

Even here

G F#m

I would be, I should be

E F#m7/E G#m/E

So near

A F#m

I could have been

E F#m7/E G#m/E

One of these things first

A F#m

I could have been

E F#m7/E G#m/E

One of these things first

[Outro]

F#m

E F#m7/E G#m/E E/D F#m7/E

About One Of These Things First Chords by Nick Drake

Learn how to play One Of These Things First by Nick Drake with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “One Of These Things First chords”, “One Of These Things First guitar chords”, or “Nick Drake One Of These Things First chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy One Of These Things First chords and for experienced players who want accurate One Of These Things First lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, F#m7/E, G#m/E, E/D, A, G.

FAQ — One Of These Things First by Nick Drake

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What key is "One Of These Things First" in?

The chords for "One Of These Things First" show the original chord names (including E, F#m7/E, G#m/E, E/D, A, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.